IPL 7: Will it be fifth time lucky for Mumbai Indians in UAE today?

By PTI |Posted 30-Apr-2014

MI look to end four-match losing streak in last league match in UAE

Dubai: Languishing at the bottom of the table, defending champions Mumbai Indians will be desperate to end their winless streak in their final match of the first leg of IPL in the UAE when they lock horns with another struggling outfit, Sunrisers Hyderabad today.

This is Mumbai Indians’ last chance to redeem themselves in the seventh edition of the cash-rich event before the action shifts to India. Placed last in the eight-team league after losing all four of their matches so far, the title holders will not get a better chance of opening their account than taking on a lowly Sunrisers, who are just a shade better with only a win and three losses.

Mumbai batting has come a cropper till now. Despite some big names in their ranks, they have managed just a few fine knocks among them. The likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, Mike Hussey, Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard have failed to fire in unison. Ambati Rayadu has shown glimpses of his talent, but none were match-winning efforts.

As far as the bowling is concerned, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh — will need to bring in all their experience to effect a turnaround.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have seen just two batsmen, Aaron Finch and David Warner, making a mark so far in the tournament. While the team will bank heavily on Finch and Warner yet again, it is high time that skipper and opener Shikhar Dhawan demonstrate his batting prowess. Bowling spearhead Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been pretty consistent, while leg-spinners Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma have also been decent.

MI signs SimmonsMeanwhile, West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons has been included in the Mumbai squad in place of Jalaj Saxena, the IPL technical committee announced yesterday. While no reason was given for the change, the move will definitely boost the morale of Mumbai, who are lying at the bottom of the points table.

Last match key moments (13-5-2013)

. Sunrisers’ 178-3 had been set up by Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 59 from 41 at the start of the innings, and finished by Cameron White, who blasted 43 from 23 balls. However, Sunrisers scored only 33 off their last four overs

. Mumbai Indians attacked in bursts, but seemed content to allow the asking rate to mount — perhaps anticipating a late rally. With 62 needed from the last four overs, the Mumbai crowd was anticipating the hosts’ first loss at home

. Having scored 9 off his first 10 balls, Kieran Pollard (66) tore into Hyderabad’s bowling. The 17th over bowled by Thisara Perera went for 29 runs with Pollard hitting three sixes out of the four in the over. 21 runs came off Amit Mishra’s 18th over that effectively sealed the match for Mumbai Indians